no new posts until next friday (november 5)

the author of this blog is on short vacation.

enjoy featured posts.

a lot of new surpises soon!

The Kafa Beanz - Andromeda: The Chronicles Of Blackopia, Volume 1 [2008] [usa+eth]

        The Kafa Beanz is a collective of solo artists who blend their Ethiopian culture and music with hip hop, soul, and alternative musical textures. The name “Kafa Beanz” is a play on words.  If one looks at a map of Ethiopia, there is the Kafa region where coffee is known to originate. Coffee was “discovered” by the Portuguese in Ethiopia in the middle ages.  Coffee is the primary export of Ethiopia to this day and considered the country’s most valuable export. This group of young artists, primarily of Ethiopian origin, wanted to express that the true value of Ethiopia is in the people, thus the name Kafa Beanz. 

        The Kafa Beanz formed in 2007 when a group of accomplished Ethiopian-American musicians, producers and vocalist who have been longtime fans of each other’s respective work decided to join forces. Their first project as a collective is entitled “Andromeda: The Chronicles of Blackopia  Vol. 1.”  The project’s title pays homage to Princess Andromeda who, according to Greek Mythology, was the daughter of Cassiopeia and Cepheus, the king of Ethiopia.

Gabriel Teodros - "Tizita"

          The Kafa Beanz consists of lead vocalists B Sheba(rapper /singer) and Burntface (rapper/producer) and is rounded out by Wayna (singer/songwriter), Gabriel Teodros (rapper), AP (rapper/singer) and various Special Guest Appearances including Hermela Mulatu (singer), daughter of Ethiopian Jazz Musician Mulatu Astatke.

        The Kafa Beanz is a group of solo artists who share a passion for Africa and a desire to expose their music to the world. Four of the five members are of Ethiopian origin, and the exotic sounds of East Africa are evident in their music.

        Despite having a sonic texture heavily influenced by 60s and 70s era Ethiopian Jazz music, The Kafa Beanz have a universal sound that has often been compared to The Fugees, Black Eyed Peas and Outkast. The Kafa Beanz effortlessly blends soulful vocal harmonies and poignant lyrics over an eclectic mixture of classic hip hop and futuristic world music. 

       Each member is an accomplished artist in their own right with their own respective fan bases. Their collective professional experience and talents make for a powerful and versatile combination that can rock a party crowd or tantalize a jazzy lounge or café. In a time when the traditional music industry paradigm is crashing in on itself, and genres are being disregarded, The Kafa Beanz are poised to be the future of world music.

The Kafa Beanz - 01 - Andromeda (1:45)

Wayna, Burntface - 02 - Let It Go (5:04)

Burntface, AP, B Sheba, Wayna - 03 - IRock (2:53)

Burntface, B Sheba, AP - 04 - AA++ (2:28)

B Sheba, Burntface, AP - 05 - Arada  (4:15)

AP, Wayna - 06 - Rebel (2:58)

B Sheba - 07 - Babylon Blues (4:35)

Burntface, B Sheba - 08 - History (3:05)

Wayna, Burntface - 09 - Love's Fool (3:24)

B Sheba, Hermela Mulatu, Burntface, Gabriel Teodros - 10 - Hope (4:43)

Burntface - 11 - Fly Away (3:45)

Burntface, B Sheba, Malik (30), Texx - 12 - Diaspora (3:41)

Gabriel Teodros, B Sheba - 13 - Tizita (4:07)

Wayna - 14 - Final Transmition (3:44)

Jano Band - Live Performance [2016] [ethiopia]

       Setting the trend for the Jano sound is a new synthesis which injects Ethiopian music into the genre of rock to create hot and harmoniously wild sounding of Ethiopian rock. Behind it is Jano, a band consisting two female vocalists, two male lead vocalists and six musicians who play bass guitar, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, keyboards and a drum. The two things the players have in common is that all of them are in their twenties and all share a single dream – to become the first international rock phenomena from Ethiopia.

         The man behind the making of Jano is Addis Gassesse, a renowned Ethiopian music manager who shuttles between Addis Abeba, New York and Kingston, Jamaica. Now Addis wants to get Jano play at international concerts and compete with any rock band on the world stage.

Jano Band - Darigne

       Jano has a unique way of showing the flare of its members, who, some of them came from different gospel choirs. The fusion of Ethiopian music with Rock is a complete detachment from the long tradition of music norm. But the songs are partly written by the band members themselves and partly by Yilma Gabreab, a popular Ethiopian song writer. The result is the first ever rock band in Ethiopia.

       While some of the band members have been heavily influenced by rock stars such as the Rolling Stones and Metallica, others have been influenced by jazz, pop and reggae. This diverse background of the members can be clearly seen in the unique sound of their music that takes its nuances from an eclectic assortment of styles that, deep down, didn’t abandon an Ethiopian flavor.

Jano Band are:

Kirubel Tesfaye (Band Leader and synthesizer)
Michael Hailu (Musical Director and Lead Guitar)
Dibekulu Tafesse (vocals)
Haleluya Tekletsadik (vocals)
Hewan Gebrewold (vocals)
Hailu Merga (vocals)
Yohannes Mekonen (drums)
Daniel Negash (bass)

Jano Band - 01 - Andnen (ft. Pamfalon) (6:14)

Jano Band - 02 - Darigne (3:35)

Jano Band - 03 - Yinegal (4:09)

Jano Band - 04 - Gude (Live) (6:20)

Jano Band - 05 - Mariye (Live) (6:28)

Jano Band - 06 - Mehed Mehed (Live) (7:09)

Jano Band - 07 - Gara Sir New Bete (Live) (3:50)

Jano Band - 08 - Ayrak (Live) (6:50)

Sunshine Music Band - Unknown Album [ethiopia]

       It's almost impossible to find any piece of information about this legendary ethiopian band in 1980's. 

Sunshine Music Band - 01 - Yene Hasab (5:12)

Sunshine Music Band - 02 - Yefikir Ketema (4:49)

Sunshine Music Band - 03 - Satwodegn Wodijat (5:24)

Sunshine Music Band - 04 - Guragigna (4:55)

Sunshine Music Band - 05 - Zemede (5:04)

Sunshine Music Band - 06 - Shegiye Shegiye (3:36)

Sunshine Music Band - 07 - Yeshi Haregitu (7:23)

Sunshine Music Band - 08 - Oromigna (4:17)

Sunshine Music Band - 09 - Bertukane (6:44)

Sunshine Music Band - 10 - Astawusalehu (3:53)

Sunshine Music Band - 11 - Engedih Jemeregn (6:57)

Sunshine Music Band :


Tadesse Biyadgu - piano, keyboards
Tamere Haregu - drums, keyboards
Aregahegn Werash - vocal,
Girma Tefera 
Ashebir Belay
Birehanu Reta

Mahmoud Ahmed - Selam [ethiopia]

       Mahmoud Ahmed is one of the biggest singers in Ethiopia, known all over the world. One of his greatest gifts as a live performer include his ability to get the shoulder-shaking Eskista dance spread like wildfire! With him on stage, he is one of Ethiopia’s most legendary live bands - Roha Band!

Mahmoud Ahmed - Selam

      Mahmoud Ahmed was born in Addis Ababa’s Mercato district and began his career as shoe shine boy before he became one of his country’s top stars. Already at an early age he was fascinated by the music that was played at home on Ethiopian radio. During the 60s, he got a job at the club, Arizona, the club where Haile Selassie’s legendary Imperial Bodyguard Band played. He soon became part of the band’s regular set, where he stayed until 1974. 

     During the 70th,  Mahmoud recorded a series of songs with the record companies Amha and Kaifa and quickly became a big name within Ethiopian music. In the 1980s he ran his own music store in Addis Ababa while he continued his singing career. 1986 he gained a larger Western audience when the Belgian label Crammed Discs released the collection Ere Mela Mela, and even greater international attention in the late 1990s after Buda Musique launched the Éthiopiques series. This led to new recordings and tours in Europe and the USA with Boston’s Either / Orchestra, and French Badume Band. His undulating, slightly veiled voice, which seems to be able to express every nuance, has retained the charm and properties that are characteristic of Azmaris, traditional bards performing in local pubs in Ethiopia. 

      Mahmoud Ahmed is still one of the most well known and beloved Ethiopian artists in the world.

Mahmoud Ahmed - 01 - Tetesh (5:36)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 02 - Abaye mado (5:20)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 03 - Kelenesh (Gurage) (5:14)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 04 - Erey endale lebay (7:34)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 05 - Selam (4:59)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 06 - Awy legeto (7:07)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 07 - Enbayen lemetereg (5:48)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 08 - Tey neylegn menew (5:20)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 09 - Tizita yakatelew (6:31)
Mahmoud Ahmed - 10 - Dekamenesh temate (5:37)

Ukandanz - Live in Amsterdam 31-01-15 [2015] [france+ethiopia]

uKanDanZ (Ehtiopian crunch - France/Ethiopia)

       uKanDanZ... a unique style, an unusual meeting between an electric quartet and Asnake Guebreyes,charismatic lead singer originates from the vibrant music scene in Addis Abeba.

     Their music is inspired by traditional and popular Ethiopian songs. uKanDanZ has a real crunch energy. Between rock, jazz, noise...

      With impertinence, they rock it wildly. Without compromise. Guitar, saxophone, bass, drums and vocals shuffle our bearings. What a pleasure! The stage presence of uKanDanZ swings alternately between energy and emotion... then the public, transcended, dances and shivers.

uKanDanZ - Japan Tour 2013 [Official live shooting]

Ukandanz - 2015 01 31 - Paradiso Noord (Tolhuistuin), Amsterdam NL

Personnel:

Asnake Gebreyes : vocals
Benoit Lecomte  : bass
Guilhem Meier   : drums
Lionel Martin   : tenor sax 
Damien Cluzel   : guitar

Setlist:

01 Sèwotch men yelalu
02 Sema
03 Aykedashem Lebe
04 Lantchi Biyé
05 Wub Nat
06 Belomi Benna
07 
08 Addis Abbeba
09 Endè Yerusalèm
10 Ambassel to Brussel
11

 01:18:42    143,94 MB  (256kbps) 

Zoom Handy H2's internal rear mics (120 degree angle mode)

Qwanqwa - Live [November 6 2014] [2014] [ethiopia]

       Qwanqwa is an experimental rock and traditional band that plays beloved and rare Ethiopian tunes with a unique twist. At its core, is instrumental, the band believes that to reach the widest audience, a single singer can limit the effect. However, the list of guests and collaborations is long, including both beloved and famous singers such as Fikeraddis, Habte Michael, Amelmal Abate, as well as beloved Azmari singers Selamnesh Zemene and Etenesh Wassie. Not limited to only singers, Qwanqwa also has invited the virtuoso masinqo player Endris Hassen, washint player Johannes Aferwork, Dawit Frew, Ethiopia’s foremost clarinetist and many other treasures of traditional instrumentalists to join them.

Qwanqwa - Tizita (Live at Mulatu's African Jazz Village)

      Qwanqwa comprises four members: Mesele Asmamaw, kirar, has been a composer and arranger in Ethiopia for over 20 years. He has released many albums of his compositions as well as traveled extensively throughout Europe and Africa. Dawit is a master of the bass kirar, his interests and experience have informed his unique sound which is at times funky, at times sentimental but always solid and appropriate. Sami, Qwanqwa’s rhythmic backbone, brings a young fresh enthusiasm to the group’s sound. He incorporates tambourine, bells and other homemade percussion to increase the variety of moods. Kaethe Hostetter, five-string electric violin, has been playing Ethiopian music for more than six years. She is a founding member of the critically acclaimed Debo Band, the first Ethiopian band based in the US.

Qwanqwa - Live November 6 2014 (62:45)

                                                                               143 MB (320 kbps)

Black Jesus Experience - Migration [2014] [aus+eth]

       BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE (BJX) is an eight piece band playing an irresistibly danceable blend of traditional Ethiopian song and 21st Century groove. With backgrounds as diverse as the 5 countries the members of BJX hail from, their music reflects the multicultural vibrancy of the band’s hometown, Melbourne, Australia.

       Singer Enushu Taye began entertaining her local community as a child in Addis Ababa. Forced to leave Ethiopia, Enushu migrated to Australia bringing hauntingly beautiful compositions inspired by her remarkable life story and the unique vocal traditions of Ethiopia. Enushu is joined on vocals by poetic giant and lyrical miracle Mr Monk, Zimbabwe born and Outback bred.

Black Jesus Experience - ETHIOBOP

        When not touring BJX run a weekly session at cultural hub The Horn creating new songs live on stage featuring guest artists from all walks of life. The comfort BJX has with this practice lies in the improvising traditions of that feed BJX including Hip Hop, Jazz, Azmari and Funk.

        They have recently released their 5th studio album, a collaboration with their long time mentor, the inventor of Ethio-Jazz: Mulatu Astatke. The album Cradle of Humanity was recorded and mixed across 3 continents and completed at the end of their East Africa tour in 2015, including performances at MTN Bushfire Festival (Swaziland), AZGO Festival (Mozambique) and African Union Expo (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).

       The rhymes and chimes of Black Jesus Experience deliver the power and beauty of Africa through the vocal prism of Hip-Hop and freedom of Funk.

Black Jesus Experience - 01 - Smile (3:31)

Black Jesus Experience - 02 - Africa (4:43)

Black Jesus Experience - 03 - Bati (3:52)

Black Jesus Experience - 04 - Migration (6:12)

Black Jesus Experience - 05 - Ethio Bop (5:23)

Black Jesus Experience - 06 - Ichilalo (4:25)

Black Jesus Experience - 07 - Mother Earth (4:35)

Black Jesus Experience - 08 - Gimash Akarley (3:19)

Black Jesus Experience - 09 - After (4:47)

Black Jesus Experience - 10 - BB (5:09)

Elsa Kidane - Tezezta Fiqri vol. 3 [2007] - [eritrea]

Elsa Kidane - Tezezta Fiqri

Elsa Kidane - 01 - Tezezta Fiqri (7:47)
Elsa Kidane - 02 - Zeban Fiqri (6:48)
Elsa Kidane - 03 - Jobae (7:11)
Elsa Kidane - 04 - Kotsera (6:48)
Elsa Kidane - 05 - Azizeni (4:52)
Elsa Kidane - 06 - Tealiya (5:52)
Elsa Kidane - 07 - Ente Belkuka (7:18)
Elsa Kidane - 08 - Weldo Fikri (5:37)
Elsa Kidane - 09 - Shebab (6:23)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - Zagol [2011] [ethiopia]

       Born in Shashemene but originating from Bahir Dar, Eritbu (Solomon) Agegnehu’s heritage is of the rich tradition of Azmari. He began singing and playing masinqo under the tutorage of his father Agegnehu Askenaw, a well-known and accomplished Azmari. Eritbu moved to Addis Ababa at the age of 19 in pursuit of his musical dreams, creating a name for himself as an Azmari, performer and artist.

Eritbu "Solomon" Agegnehu - Wayne Wayne

         His first album release was 2011’s "Zagol", which included the singles "Borena" and "Yeawi Lig". This was followed soon afterward by “Woyne Woyne”, which was and still is a big hit throughout Ethiopia. The following year he released the fusion single and accompanying video clip “Seyba Seyba” with bassist and producer Cassawarrior and later released “Wondome Hoy”, in which he sings of the respect deserved to women.

      

   One of Eritbu’s driving ambitions is to return live instrumentation to the ears of the Ethiopian people, as well as to engage in fresh collaborations with international artists. 

His performance history includes shows at Selam Festival, tours with Black Jesus Experience, a support show with Gigi, as well as collaborations with Badume Band, Magabo and Meklit Handro.

    His latest album release “Besentu?” is further evidence of Eritbu’s development in character, technique and sound.

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 01 - Gerado (5:50)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 02 - Ney Ney Bemela (5:20)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 03 - Aguremereme (4:09)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 04 - Borena (5:21)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 05 - Minjar (5:50)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 06 - Gonder (5:28)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 07 - Beza (5:44)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 08 - Zagol (5:13)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 09 - Chemboa (4:56)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 10 - Abet Firhat (5:15)

Ertibu 'Solomon' Agegnehu - 11 - Ney Ney Mewdede (6:01)

Hirut Bekele - Hirut Bekele with Dahlak Band [1973] [ethiopia]

Hirut Bekele - Zemewal goradew

Hirut Bekele - 01 - Shgeye [ሸግዬ] (3:29)
Hirut Bekele - 02 - Zemewal goradew [ዘሟል ጐራዴው] (4:55)
Hirut Bekele - 03 - Yetedar melekyaye [የትዳር መለከያ] (5:51)
Hirut Bekele - 04 - Beabeboch mehal [በአበቦች መኻል] (4:54)
Hirut Bekele - 05 - Web new [ውብ ነው] (4:31)
Hirut Bekele - 06 - Mengizem Yantew negn [ምንጊዜም ያንተው ነኝ] (7:01)
Hirut Bekele - 07 - Yelewem Acha [የለውም እቻ] (5:21)
Hirut Bekele - 08 - EndeGebete Weha [አንደገበቴ ውሃ] (4:30)
Hirut Bekele - 09 - Tsebay Kewebet Gar [ጸባይ ከውበት ጋር] (5:52)
Dahlak Band - 10 - Instrumental (3:36)

Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Gigi [2001] [ethiopia]

   R   E   U   P   L   O   A   D   

        Ejigayehu Shibabaw, known by her stage name Gigi, is one of the most successful contemporary Ethiopian singers worldwide. She has brought the music of Ethiopia to wider recognition and developed it in combination with a wide variety of other genres often in collaboration with her husband Bill Laswell, a bassist and producer.

       Gigi was born and raised in Chagni in northwestern Ethiopia. She has described learning traditional songs from an Ethiopian Orthodox priest in the family home. She lived in Kenya for a few years before moving to San Francisco in about 1998.

       Gigi recorded two albums for the expatriate Ethiopian community, but it was her 2001 album, titled simply Gigi, that brought her widespread attention. She had been noticed by Palm Pictures owner Chris Blackwell, who had years earlier introduced reggae to the mainstream through his former label, Island Records. Blackwell and Gigi's producer (and later, husband) Bill Laswell, decided to use American jazz musicians (including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Pharoah Sanders, and others) to accompany Gigi on the album.

      The result was a fusion of contemporary and traditional sounds. The album was a critical success internationally and generated controversy in her home country for such a radical break with Ethiopian popular music. This release was soon followed by Illuminated Audio, an ambient dub style remix of the album by Laswell.

      2003 saw the release of Zion Roots, under the band name Abyssinia Infinite. Bill Laswell played guitar and keyboard (instead of his usual bass), and several of Gigi's family members contributed vocals. The album was a return to a mainly acoustic sound for Gigi, incorporating instruments such as the krar and the tabla. The track "Gole" is in Agaw, the language of Gigi's father's village.

    Gigi is married to her producer Bill Laswell, and they have a son, Aman, who has accompanied his parents with vocals. Her younger sister, singer Tigist Shibabaw, died under unknown circumstances in 2008.

Gigi - Gud Fella

Gigi - Vocals
Bill Laswell - Producer, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
Abonesh Adenew, Dawit Melesse, Hebest Tirunehe, Imani Uzuri, Mizanekristos Yohannes, Tigist Shibabaw - Backing Vocals
Thomas Gobena - Bass
Hamid Drake, Mikias Abebayehu - Drums, Percussion
Karsh Kale - Drums, Tabla, Keyboards
Mark Taylor - French Horn
David Gilmore, Nicky Skopelitis, Zakki Jewad - Guitar
Abegasu Shiota, Amina Claudine Myers, Dereje Mekonnen, Herbie Hancock - Keyboards
Abdou M'Boup, Aiyb Dieng, Melaku Gelaw, Setegne Satenaw - Percussion
Henry Threadgill, Pharoah Sanders, Wayne Shorter - Saxophone
Art Baron - Trombone- Accordion






01. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Gud Fella (5:35)
02. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Mengeoegna (5:33)
03. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Tew Ante Sew (4:20)
04. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Abay (5:18)
05. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Bale Washintu (5:35)
06. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Guramayle (4:27)
07. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Sew Argen (5:16)
08. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Aynama (5:05)
09. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Kahn (3:47)
10. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Zomaye (4:00)
11. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Abet Wubet (4:07)
12. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Nafeken (5:23)
13. Ejigayehu 'Gigi' Shibabaw - Adwa (5:02)